• Meet the Test Kitchen •

Becky: Director of the Land O’Lakes Test Kitchen, a job she loves.

Becky has spent her entire career cooking and baking, which are also her favorite hobbies outside of work. For her, time spent in the kitchen not only relieves stress, but is lots of fun as well. Becky’s love for baking began as a child, standing on a chair next her mom, adding ingredients and mixing up dough.

Recipe Comments & Reviews

I made this and put it in Christmas bags for my co-workers. The vanilla flavored candy coating is the stuff you buy in craft stores to make candy with. I used regular dried cranberries and orange zest and a 1/8 tsp of orange flavoring. It came out great

Posted Dec 26 2012
by Rochelle

I made this and it was super easy! Came out delicious! I am not a big fan of the orange peel zest. Gave it a little to orangy flavor. I'm going to try it again with just the cranberries and almonds. Oh and I didn't use slivered I used chopped. With the chunkier nuts and cranberries, it was very good!

Posted Dec 02 2012
by sharon

I give it 5 stars. Delicious with fruit and nuts. I love this. Barbara

Posted Nov 30 2012
by Barb G.

Oh YUM! I over-browned my almonds a smidge, but it didn't matter--this is just good, simple and delicious! I will most likely add this to our already huge cookie basket we send every year to hubby's office. This one is definitely a keeper! Thank you!

Posted Nov 26 2012
by liz

If I substituted parchment paper for the waxed paper, would the hot sugared almonds melt it also? I'm looking at the posting from Annabelle H that says you need to cool the sugared almonds before putting them on the prepared cookie sheet or they will melt the wax paper.

Posted Nov 09 2012
by Penny

Test Kitchen Comment

From:

Cindy

Using parchment paper in place of waxed paper as the recipe suggests will work out just fine.

Posted November 13, 2012

My grandson is allergic to nuts, what besides almonds could be substitued? in this recipe?

Posted Nov 09 2012
by VIRGINIA D.

Test Kitchen Comment

From:

Cindy

I would suggest substituting toffee baking chips that are not chocolate covered. You need crunch in the candy ad that could be a good choice. If you try this, let me know how it worked.

Posted November 13, 2012

Does the finished product need to be refrigerated?

Posted Nov 08 2012
by Kate

Test Kitchen Comment

From:

Cindy

This candy does not need to be refrigerated for food safety or to keep the coating firm. But, my suggestion is to store it in a cool place but not necessarily in the refrigerator.

Posted November 13, 2012

Is the "candy coating" akin to chocolate dipping wafers?

Posted Nov 07 2012
by Lori

Test Kitchen Comment

From:

Cindy

Yes, candy coating is similar to candy dipping wafers.

Posted November 13, 2012

I had dried cranberries left over, unopened in their packages. I threw them in my freezer. Do you think I'll be able to use them in holiday recipes this year once defrosted. I emailed the cranberry grower's association, but never heard back from them.

Posted Oct 17 2012
by Annabelle H.

Test Kitchen Comment

From:

Cindy

You should be able to use the dried cranberries in your baking once you have defrosted them. If you find that some of them are too dried out I would discard them but if the texture of the dried cranberries is similar to dried cranberries you would purchase now, just go ahead and use the ones you had frozen.

Posted November 15, 2012

This is an excellent recipe and very easy to make. The carmelized almonds are what makes it taste so good. I will make this again next year for Christmas and wrap in little festive bags to put in my gift baskets.

Posted Jan 12 2012
by Kimberly S.

This turned out great. It was easy and fast and delicious. Here's a tip for you, when you go to zest the orange, zest the whole orange and keep the zest in a small plastic covered container in your refrigerator. I made another recipe which required zest and it was already waiting for me. Anyway, make sure you cool the candied almonds before you put them on the prepared cookie sheet with the wax paper or they will melt it. Other than those couple of tips, go for it. You will make another batch of this though, one to give away and one to keep for home. It makes plenty, so you can divide it up and give it to several people on your list: UPS man, mailman, babysitter, etc.

Posted Dec 08 2011
by Annabelle H.

Jen, what's melted candy coating? where do I buy this?

Posted Dec 01 2011
by Jennifer

Test Kitchen Comment

From:

Cindy

Candy coating is typically in the baking section of a grocery store. During the holiday baking season it could be stocked in a special holiday baking display as well. It is generally packaged in a 1 pound bar that is divided into 1 or 2-ounce pieces you can break off depending on the amount you need. It is used to dip candies or for decorating baked items. I suggest you ask your grocery manager for the exact location in the baking department.

Posted December 01, 2011

Outstanding recipe. I made with dried apricots bits and cranberries the second time and I liked THAT even more.

Posted Sep 22 2011
by Wendy H.

Made this last year at Christmas and it was fabulous! Not only was it delicious, but it was very pretty on the candy tray as well

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Hi, I'm Becky. I'm eager to share my best ideas and favorite recipes from my 20+ years in the Land O'Lakes Test Kitchen. I'm also excited to help with any questions you have about cooking and baking with Land O Lakes® products. Some of the questions and answers will be published in our newsletter, The Measuring Cup®. Please use the short form below to ask your questions, or share your tip or memory.

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